Three-dimensional image correction device, three-dimensional image correction method, three-dimensional image display device, three-dimensional image reproduction device, three-dimensional image provision system, program, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional image correction device includes when a displacement amount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a display surface and a convergence angle on a perceived three-dimensional surface based on image information for a three-dimensional image is set as a disparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-up and pull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range, and display device specification information is set as display device information, a disparity amount detection unit for inputting the image information to detect the disparity amount from the image information, a correction computation unit for adjusting the detected disparity amount on the basis of the display device information to correct the dynamic range, and a disparity amount correction unit for correcting the disparity amount in the corrected dynamic range while corresponding to the display device information.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/537,298, filed Aug. 7, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference to the extent permitted by law. The presentapplication claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2008-207998 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Aug.12, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein tothe extent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system configured to provide athree-dimensional image to a viewer having liquid crystal shutterglasses or the like mounted thereon, a three-dimensional imagecorrection system applicable to a three-dimensional image display systemhaving a function of correcting a pop-up amount, a pull-in amount, andthe like of a three-dimensional image to be perceived by a viewer, athree-dimensional image correction method, a three-dimensional imagedisplay device, a three-dimensional image reproduction device, athree-dimensional image provision system, a program, and a recordingmedium. More specifically, the invention relates to a system providedwith a correction computation unit configured to correct a dynamic rangeon the basis of a disparity amount detected from image information for athree-dimensional image composed of an image for a left eye and an imagefor a right eye and information on a screen size and the like of adisplay device configured to display a three-dimensional image, in whichthe disparity amount is corrected in the corrected dynamic range whilecorresponding to display device information so as to be able to adjust apop-up amount, a pull-in amount, and the like of a target object whilecorresponding to the display device information, and also even in a casewhere a specification of the display device is varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by an imagecreator.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a slimmer television set has been realized with ahigher definition and a larger screen. For the next paradigm shift(scientific revolution), researches are actively carried out in thefield of three-dimensional display. In a three-dimensional displaytechnology, a method of utilizing a binocular disparity to allow theviewer to perceive a three-dimensional object is generally used, and alarge number of achievements have been reported.

For example, a three-dimensional image system is developed which isconfigured to provide a three-dimensional image to the viewer having theliquid crystal shutter glasses or the like mounted thereon. For athree-dimensional image display device in which the viewer has theliquid crystal shutter glasses mounted thereon and views thethree-dimensional image, in order to present the three-dimensional imageby utilizing the binocular disparity, a display method is adopted inwhich different images are arranged to enter into the left eye and theright eye.

According to such a display method, a disparity amount is set betweenthe image for the left eye and the image for the right eye whiletargeting the same object. The disparity amount herein is a differencebetween a convergence angle on a display surface and a convergence angleon a three-dimensional surface to be perceived based on imageinformation for a three-dimensional image and is, between a pixeldisplacement amount of a binocular disparity image on the displaysurface and a standard visual distance from the display surface to eyesof a viewer, substantially approximated by (the pixel displacementamount)/(the standard visual distance). By adjusting this disparityamount, it is possible to set a pop-up amount, a pull-in amount, and thelike of the target image. For example, in a case where three-dimensionalimages are viewed in a cinema or the like, a screen size is fixed. Thus,the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the object whichare intended by an image creator and also with which the viewers do notfeel unpleasant sensation or sense of discomfort can be substantiallyuniquely decided.

In association with this type of the three-dimensional displaytechnology, Japanese Patent No. 3749227 discloses a three-dimensionalimage processing method and device. This three-dimensional imageprocessing device includes an instruction obtaining unit, a disparityidentifying unit, and a disparity control unit. When a three-dimensionalimage is displayed on the basis of a plurality of viewpoint imagescorresponding to different disparities, the instruction obtaining unitobtains a response from a user whether or not the three-dimensionalimage displayed in various disparities is acceptable. On the basis ofthe obtained response, the disparity identifying unit identifies anappropriate disparity as the disparity acceptable by the user. On thepremise of this, when another three-dimensional image different from thethree-dimensional image is displayed, in order that the user can acceptthe other three-dimensional image, the disparity control unit applies aprocessing on the other three-dimensional image on the basis of theidentified appropriate disparity. With the three-dimensional imageprocessing device having the above-mentioned configuration, it ispossible to generate or display the three-dimensional image and the likesuitable to human physiology. Also, the three-dimensional sensitivitycan be adjusted through a simple operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Incidentally, with the three-dimensional image processing deviceaccording to the related art example as disclosed in Japanese Patent No.3749227, when the three-dimensional image is displayed, sample imageshaving plurality of different disparities are presented, as the viewerresponses as to whether these images can be accepted or not, thethree-dimensional image is displayed at the disparity amount preferredby the user. Also, once, by holding the set information, even when adifferent image is input, resetting is not performed.

However, according to the related art technology, the pop-up amount, thepull-in amount, and the like preferred by the user can be set, but it isdifficult to reproduce the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount intendedby the image creator.

On the other hand, in a case where the same contents at the time ofscreen distribution is viewed with a television set in household, thescreen size of the display device used by viewers often vary from asmall type to a large type. In such a case, video pictures forthree-dimensional images are displayed at different disparitiesdepending on a screen size of a display device. That is, it is supposedthat the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the targetobject to be perceived by the viewers are not uniquely decided. In acase where the pop-up amount is excessively large, the viewer feelsunpleasant sensation or sense of discomfort. In contrast, the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount are excessively suppressed, the creativeintention of the image creator is not reflected, and also the viewerdoes not enjoy the three-dimensional images.

FIG. 21 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween a % binocular disparity amount D and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object. The vertical axis shown in FIG. 21is a distance [m] to the target object perceived by the viewer which isrepresented in the logarithmic scale. The horizontal axis is a %binocular disparity amount D of the binocular disparity image in whichthe relative amount with respect to the width of the displayable area ofthe image display device is regulated by way of percentile [%].

Lozenge marks on the solid line shown in FIG. 21 form a characteristiccurve showing a quantitative relational example between the % binoculardisparity amount D in a screen of 700 inches and the pop-up amount andthe like of the target object. Cross marks on the solid line form acharacteristic curve showing a quantitative relational example betweenthe % binocular disparity amount D in an image display device of 40inches and the pop-up amount and the like of the target object. Crossmarks on the dashed-dotted line form a characteristic curve showing aquantitative relational example between the % binocular disparity amountD in an image display device of 11 inches and the pop-up amount and thelike of the target object.

In this quantitative relational example between the % binoculardisparity amount D and the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of thetarget object, for example, in a case where 5% binocular disparityamount D is set, in the image display device of 700 inches, the viewercan perceive a pull-in amount (a) of 10 m or more. In contrast, in theimage display device of 40 inches, the viewer can perceive a pull-inamount (b) as short as several m, and in the image display device of 11inches, the viewer can only sense a pull-in amount (c) equal to orsmaller than 1 m. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, in a case where an imageto which the % binocular disparity amount D is added for realizing thepop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by the imagecreator is directly displayed on a display for the household use, thereis a problem that it is difficult for the user to perceive the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount intended by the image creator with therelated art technology or the technology disclosed in Japanese PatentNo. 3749227.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve theabove-mentioned problem, and it is desirable to provide athree-dimensional image correction device in which a correction methodfor a disparity amount of a binocular disparity image is devised so asto accurately express a pop-up amount, a pull-in amount, and the likeintended by an image creator, and also a three-dimensional imagecompliant with an intention of the image creator can be provided to aviewer, a three-dimensional image correction method, a three-dimensionalimage display device, a three-dimensional image reproduction device, athree-dimensional image provision system, a program, and a recordingmedium.

The above-mentioned problems are solved by a three-dimensional imagecorrection device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincluding: when a displacement amount which is a difference between aconvergence angle on a display surface and a convergence angle on athree-dimensional surface to be perceived based on image information fora three-dimensional image and which is, between a pixel displacementamount of a binocular disparity image on the display surface and astandard visual distance from the display surface to eyes of a viewer,substantially approximated by (the pixel displacement amount)/(thestandard visual distance) is set as a disparity amount, a width of adepth amount represented by pop-up and pull-in of the three-dimensionalimage is set as a dynamic range, and information related to aspecification of a display device is set as display device information,a disparity amount detection unit configured to input the imageinformation for the three-dimensional image to detect the disparityamount from the image information; a correction computation unitconfigured to adjust the disparity amount detected by the disparityamount detection unit on the basis of the display device information tocorrect the dynamic range; and a disparity amount correction unitconfigured to correct the disparity amount in the dynamic rangecorrected by the correction computation unit while corresponding to thedisplay device information.

With the three-dimensional image correction device according to theembodiment of the present invention, the disparity amount detection unitinputs, for example, the image information for the three-dimensionalimage composed of the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye to detect the disparity amount from the image information. Thecorrection computation unit adjusts the disparity amount detected by thedisparity amount detection unit on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct the dynamic range. The disparity amountcorrection unit corrects the disparity amount in the dynamic rangecorrected by the correction computation unit while corresponding to thedisplay device information. Therefore, it is possible to adjust thepop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the target objectwhile corresponding to the display device information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided athree-dimensional image correction method performed by athree-dimensional image correction device, the method including thesteps of: when a displacement amount which is a difference between aconvergence angle on a display surface and a convergence angle on athree-dimensional surface to be perceived based on image information fora three-dimensional image and which is, between a pixel displacementamount of a binocular disparity image on the display surface and astandard visual distance from the display surface to eyes of a viewer,substantially approximated by (the pixel displacement amount)/(thestandard visual distance) is set as a disparity amount, a width of adepth amount represented by pop-up and pull-in of the three-dimensionalimage is set as a dynamic range, and information related to aspecification of a display device is set as display device information,inputting the image information for the three-dimensional image todetect the disparity amount from the image information; adjusting thedetected disparity amount on the basis of the display device informationto correct the dynamic range; and correcting the disparity amount incorrected the dynamic range while corresponding to the display deviceinformation.

With the three-dimensional image correction method according to theembodiment of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the pop-upamount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the target object whilecorresponding to the display device information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided athree-dimensional image display device including: display meansconfigured to input image information for a three-dimensional imagecomposed of an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye todisplay a video picture; and three-dimensional image correction meansconfigured to output image information for the three-dimensional imageafter a disparity amount correction on the display means, thethree-dimensional image correction means including, when a displacementamount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a displaysurface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to beperceived based on the image information for the three-dimensional imageand which is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binoculardisparity image on the display surface and a standard visual distancefrom the display surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximatedby (the pixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is setas a disparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-upand pull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range,and information related to a specification of a display device is set asdisplay device information, a disparity amount detection unit configuredto input the image information for the three-dimensional image composedof the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye to detectthe disparity amount from the image information, a correctioncomputation unit configured to adjust the disparity amount detected bythe disparity amount detection unit on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct the dynamic range, and a disparity amountcorrection unit configured to correct the disparity amount in thedynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit whilecorresponding to the display device information.

With the three-dimensional image display device according to theembodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional imagecorrection device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied to the three-dimensional image correction means, and it istherefore possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, andthe like of the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided athree-dimensional image reproduction device including: reproductionmeans configured to reproduce image information for a three-dimensionalimage composed of an image for a left eye and an image for a right eyeto display a video picture; and three-dimensional image correction meansconfigured to correct a disparity amount of the reproduced imageinformation by the reproduction means to output the image informationfor the three-dimensional image after the disparity amount correction,the three-dimensional image correction means including, when adisplacement amount which is a difference between a convergence angle ona display surface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surfaceto be perceived based on image information for a three-dimensional imageand which is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binoculardisparity image on the display surface and a standard visual distancefrom the display surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximatedby (the pixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is setas a disparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-upand pull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range,and information related to a specification of a display device is set asdisplay device information, a disparity amount detection unit configuredto input the image information for the three-dimensional image composedof the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye to detectthe disparity amount from the image information, a correctioncomputation unit configured to adjust the disparity amount detected bythe disparity amount detection unit on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct the dynamic range, and a disparity amountcorrection unit configured to correct the disparity amount in thedynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit whilecorresponding to the display device information.

With the three-dimensional image reproduction device according to theembodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional imagecorrection device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied to the three-dimensional image correction means, and it istherefore possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, andthe like of the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided afirst three-dimensional image provision system including: athree-dimensional image reproduction device configured to reproduceimage information for a three-dimensional image composed of an image fora left eye and an image for a right eye from a predetermined informationrecording medium; and a three-dimensional image display deviceconfigured to input the image information for the three-dimensionalimage reproduced by the three-dimensional image reproduction device todisplay a video picture, the three-dimensional image reproduction deviceincluding three-dimensional image correction means configured to outputimage information for the three-dimensional image after a displacementamount correction to the three-dimensional image display device, and thethree-dimensional image correction means including, when a displacementamount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a displaysurface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to beperceived based on image information for a three-dimensional image andwhich is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binocular disparityimage on the display surface and a standard visual distance from thedisplay surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximated by (thepixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is set as adisparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-up andpull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range, andinformation related to a specification of a display device is set asdisplay device information, a disparity amount detection unit configuredto input the image information for the three-dimensional image composedof the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye to detectthe disparity amount from the image information, a correctioncomputation unit configured to adjust the disparity amount detected bythe disparity amount detection unit on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct the dynamic range, and a disparity amountcorrection unit configured to correct the disparity amount in thedynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit whilecorresponding to the display device information.

With the first three-dimensional image provision system according to theembodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional imagereproduction device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied, and therefore on the three-dimensional image reproductiondevice side, it is possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-inamount, and the like of the target object while corresponding to thedisplay device information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided asecond three-dimensional image provision system including: athree-dimensional image reproduction device configured to reproduceimage information for a three-dimensional image composed of an image fora left eye and an image for a right eye from a predetermined informationrecording medium; and a three-dimensional image display deviceconfigured to input the image information for the three-dimensionalimage reproduced by the three-dimensional image reproduction device todisplay a video picture, the three-dimensional image display deviceincluding three-dimensional image correction means configured to inputthe image information output from the three-dimensional imagereproduction device to output image information for thethree-dimensional image after a disparity amount correction, and thethree-dimensional image correction means including, when a displacementamount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a displaysurface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to beperceived based on image information for a three-dimensional image andwhich is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binocular disparityimage on the display surface and a standard visual distance from thedisplay surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximated by (thepixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is set as adisparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-up andpull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range, andinformation related to a specification of a display device is set asdisplay device information, a disparity amount detection unit configuredto input the image information for the three-dimensional image composedof the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye to detectthe disparity amount from the image information, a correctioncomputation unit configured to adjust the disparity amount detected bythe disparity amount detection unit on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct the dynamic range, and a disparity amountcorrection unit configured to correct the disparity amount in thedynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit whilecorresponding to the display device information.

With the second three-dimensional image provision system according tothe embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional imagedisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention isapplied, and therefore on the three-dimensional image display deviceside, it is possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount,and the like of the target object while corresponding to the displaydevice information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided acomputer-readable program including the steps of: when a displacementamount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a displaysurface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to beperceived based on image information for a three-dimensional image andwhich is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binocular disparityimage on the display surface and a standard visual distance from thedisplay surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximated by (thepixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is set as adisparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by pop-up andpull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamic range, andinformation related to a specification of a display device is set asdisplay device information, inputting the image information for thethree-dimensional image to detect the disparity amount from the imageinformation; adjusting the detected disparity amount on the basis of thedisplay device information to correct the dynamic range; and correctingthe disparity amount in corrected the dynamic range while correspondingto the display device information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided acomputer-readable recording medium describing a program including thesteps of: when a displacement amount which is a difference between aconvergence angle on a display surface and a convergence angle on athree-dimensional surface to be perceived based on image information fora three-dimensional image and which is, between a pixel displacementamount of a binocular disparity image on the display surface and astandard visual distance from the display surface to eyes of a viewer,substantially approximated by (the pixel displacement amount)/(thestandard visual distance) is set as a disparity amount, a width of adepth amount represented by pop-up and pull-in of the three-dimensionalimage is set as a dynamic range, and information related to aspecification of a display device is set as display device information,inputting the image information for the three-dimensional image todetect the disparity amount from the image information; adjusting thedetected disparity amount on the basis of the display device informationto correct the dynamic range; and correcting the disparity amount incorrected the dynamic range while corresponding to the display deviceinformation.

With the three-dimensional image correction device and thethree-dimensional image correction method according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the correction computation unit configured tocorrect the dynamic range on the basis of the disparity amount detectedfrom the image information for the three-dimensional image composed ofthe image for the left eye and the image for the right eye and thedisplay device information is provided, and the disparity amountcorrection unit corrects the disparity amount in the dynamic range afterthe correction while corresponding to the display device information.

With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the pop-up amount, thepull-in amount, and the like of the target object while corresponding tothe display device information. Therefore, even in a case where thespecifications of the display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of theimage creator.

With the three-dimensional image display device according to theembodiment of the present invention, as the three-dimensional imagecorrection device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied to the three-dimensional image correction means, it ispossible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likeof the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation. Therefore, even in a case where the specifications of thethree-dimensional image display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of theimage creator.

With the three-dimensional image reproduction device according to theembodiment of the present invention, as the three-dimensional imagecorrection device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied to the three-dimensional image correction means, it ispossible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likeof the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation. Therefore, even in a case where the specifications of thethree-dimensional image display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of theimage creator.

With the first three-dimensional image provision system according to theembodiment of the present invention, as the three-dimensional imagereproduction device according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied, on the three-dimensional image reproduction device side, itis possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and thelike of the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation. Therefore, even in a case where the specifications of thethree-dimensional image display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of thecreator.

With the second three-dimensional image provision system according tothe embodiment of the present invention, as the three-dimensional imagedisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention isapplied, on the three-dimensional image display device side, it ispossible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likeof the target object while corresponding to the display deviceinformation. Therefore, even in a case where the specifications of thethree-dimensional image display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of thecreator.

With the program and the recording medium according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, on the basis of the program read from therecording medium, the dynamic range can be corrected by using thedisparity amount detected from the image information for thethree-dimensional image composed of the image for the left eye and theimage for the right eye and the display device information, and thedisparity amount can be adjusted with satisfactory reproducibility inthe dynamic range after the correction while corresponding to thedisplay device information. As a result, even in a case where thebinocular disparity image is displayed on a large screen exceeding 500inches in a cinema, for example, or even in a case where the binoculardisparity image is displayed on a display device of a several tens ofinches in the household, the viewers can perceive the pop-up amount andthe pull-in amount of the object which reflect the creative intention ofthe image creator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image correction device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relational example between abinocular disparity amount and a pop-up amount of a target object;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relational example betweenthe binocular disparity amount and a pull-in amount of the targetobject;

FIG. 4 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the binocular disparity amount and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object (part 1);

FIG. 5 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the binocular disparity amount and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object (part 2);

FIG. 6 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the binocular disparity amount and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object (part 3);

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image correction device;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image display device according to a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image display device;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image reproduction device according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image reproduction device;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image provision system according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image display device;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image provision system according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 501;

FIG. 16 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the % binocular disparity amount and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object in the respective image displaydevices (seven types);

FIG. 17 is a table summarizing numerical examples among screen sizes ofseven types of the image display devices shown in FIG. 16, the %binocular disparity amount, and a distance to the target object (part1);

FIG. 18 is a table summarizing numerical examples showing a relationwith the above-mentioned distance (part 2);

FIG. 19 is a table summarizing numerical examples showing a relationwith the above-mentioned distance (part 3);

FIG. 20 is a table summarizing numerical examples showing a relationwith the above-mentioned distance (part 4); and

FIG. 21 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween a disparity amount of the binocular disparity image and thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the target object in a relatedart.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a three-dimensional imagecorrection device, a three-dimensional image correction method, athree-dimensional image display device, a three-dimensional imagereproduction device, a three-dimensional image provision system, aprogram, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of thethree-dimensional image correction device 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. The three-dimensional imagecorrection device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a device applicable to a systemconfigured to present a three-dimensional image to a viewer havingliquid crystal shutter glasses or the like mounted thereon. Thethree-dimensional image correction device 100 has a function ofcorrecting a pop-up amount, a pull-in amount, and the like of thethree-dimensional image to be perceived by the viewer. Thethree-dimensional image correction device 100 is constructed byincluding an information obtaining unit 1, a disparity amount detectionunit 2, a correction computation unit 3, the disparity amount correctionunit 4, a memory 5, an input terminal 6, and an output terminal 7.

The disparity amount detection unit 2 is connected to the input terminal6, and image data Din for a three-dimensional image composed of an imagefor the left eye and an image for the right eye is input to detect thedisparity amount of the binocular disparity image from theabove-mentioned image data Din. The disparity amount herein is adisplacement amount which is a difference between a convergence angle ona display surface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surfaceto be perceived based on image information for a three-dimensional imageand which is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binoculardisparity image on the display surface and a standard visual distancefrom the display surface to eyes of a viewer, substantially approximatedby (the pixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance). Thedisparity amount detection unit 2 detects the displacement amountgenerated between the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye which target the same object. Image data Din is input via the inputterminal 6 to the disparity amount detection unit 2. A detection methodfor a binocular disparity amount D in the disparity amount detectionunit 2 is not limited to a particular method. For the disparity amountdetection unit 2, for example, a digital signal processor (hereinafterreferred to as DSP) is used.

The correction computation unit 3 is connected to the disparity amountdetection unit 2. By adjusting the binocular disparity amount D detectedby the disparity amount detection unit 2 on the basis of display devicedata Dd, a dynamic range is corrected. The dynamic range herein refersto a width of a depth amount represented by the pop-up and the pull-inof the three-dimensional image. For example, in a case where it is seenthat the most popped up part in the three-dimensional image displayed onthe display device is 1 m in front of the display surface, and the mostpulled in part is 2 m behind the display surface, the dynamic range istotal 3 m with 1 m on the front and 2 m on the behind. The displaydevice data Dd refers to information related to a specification of theimage display device. The display device data Dd includes informationrelated to a size of the display screen indicating a displayable area ofthe image display device. For the correction computation unit 3, forexample, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) isused.

On the basis of the display device data Dd obtained by the informationobtaining unit 1 and the binocular disparity amount D detected by thedisparity amount detection unit 2, the correction computation unit 3executes a computation for correcting at least one of the dynamic rangesof the pop-up and the pull-in of the object. For example, the correctioncomputation unit 3 adjusts the binocular disparity amount D detected bythe disparity amount detection unit 2 on the basis of the display devicedata Dd to compute correction information for correcting at least one ofthe dynamic ranges of the pop-up and the pull-in (see FIG. 2).

The disparity amount correction unit 4 is connected to the correctioncomputation unit 3. The disparity amount correction unit 4 is operatedso as to correct the binocular disparity amount D in the dynamic rangecorrected by the correction computation unit 3 while corresponding tothe display device data Dd. The output terminal 7 is connected to thedisparity amount correction unit 4. An image output unit not shown inthe drawing is connected to the output terminal 7.

On the basis of the computation result obtained by the correctioncomputation unit 3, the disparity amount correction unit 4 corrects theoriginal binocular disparity amount D obtained by the disparity amountdetection unit 2. For example, the dynamic range is corrected on thebasis of the correction information computed by the correctioncomputation unit 3 to correct the binocular disparity amount D bycombining the dynamic range after the correction and the detectedbinocular disparity amount D. In this example, the binocular disparityamount D on the display screen of the image display device is corrected,the disparity amount correction unit 4 corrects at least one of thedynamic ranges of the pop-up and the pull-in of the three-dimensionalimage. A method of correcting the binocular disparity amount D in thedisparity amount correction unit 4 will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7. For the disparity amount correction unit 4, for example, aDSP is used.

The information obtaining unit 1 is connected to the correctioncomputation unit 3 and obtains the information related to aspecification of an image display device used by the viewer such as aliquid crystal display panel or a PDP display panel. The informationobtained at this time is the display device data Dd. As long as thedisplay device data Dd includes information related to the size of thedisplayable area of the image display device and the displayableresolution, EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) regulated byVESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) may be used, or anoriginal format may also be used. In addition to the information relatedto the size, the resolution, and the like, the display device data Dddesirably includes information for identifying a display method of theliquid crystal display, the plasma display (PDP), the organic ELdisplay, and the like. For the information obtaining unit 1, operationtools such as a key board and a mouth are used.

In this example, in addition to the information obtaining unit 1, thememory 5 is also connected to the correction computation unit 3. Thememory 5 stores the display device data Dd transferred from theinformation obtaining unit 1. For the memory 5, other than a read-onlymemory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) in which information can bewritten or read as the occasion demands, or the like, a non-volatilememory such as an EEPROM or a hard disk is used.

In the memory 5, in addition to the display device data Dd, acomputer-readable system program is described. When, for example, thedisplacement amount generated between the image for the left eye and theimage for the right eye which target the same object is set as thebinocular disparity amount D, the range for correcting the binoculardisparity amount D is set as the dynamic range, and the informationrelated to the specification of the image display device is set as thedisplay device data Dd, the system program has contents including thesteps of inputting the image data Din for the three-dimensional imagecomposed of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eyeto detect to detect the binocular disparity amount D from the image dataDin, adjusting the detected binocular disparity amount D on the basis ofthe display device data Dd to correct the dynamic range, and correctingthe binocular disparity amount D in the dynamic range after thecorrection while corresponding to the display device data Dd, and thesystem program is stored as program data Dp.

A mapping table is prepared in which at least one of the dynamic rangesof the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensionalimage and previously approximately associated correction values aredescribed, and when the binocular disparity amount D on the displayscreen of the image display device is to be corrected, the disparityamount correction unit 4 refers to the mapping table to read out thecorrection value. As the reference is made to such a mapping table, itis possible to discretely expand at least one of the dynamic ranges ofthe pop-up amount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image.Therefore, the binocular disparity amount D can be discretely adjusted,and it is possible to allow the viewer to perceive at least one of thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, with regard to thethree-dimensional image correction method according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the operation example of the three-dimensionalimage correction device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatorydiagram for describing a relational example of the binocular disparityamount D and a pop-up amount of a target object I.

According to the relational example between the binocular disparityamount D and the pop-up amount of the target object I shown in FIG. 2,when a distance from a surface II of the image display device to eyesIVa and IVb of a viewer III is set as L, a pupillary distance of theviewer III is set as d, the disparity amount of the binocular disparityimage is set as D, and a distance to the target object I perceived bythe viewer III, from the following relational expression, the pop-upamount can be obtained.D/(L−P)=d/P,(P<L)  (1)

The correction computation unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 computes theabove-mentioned relational expression (1) to continuously adjust thebinocular disparity amount D, so that the dynamic range of the pop-upamount (L−P) in the three-dimensional image can be continuouslyexpanded. Regarding the above-mentioned distance L, when a height of thesurface II of the image display device is set as H [m], L=3H is definedas a standard visual distance. It should be noted that in the drawing, Wdenotes a width [m] of the surface II of the image display device, whichconstitutes a screen size (H×W) together with the height H [m]. Thescreen size (H×W) forms a displayable area.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a relational example between thebinocular disparity amount D and a pull-in amount of the target objectI. According to the relational example between the binocular disparityamount D and the pull-in amount of the target object I shown in FIG. 3,when the distance from the surface II of the image display device to theeyes of the viewer III is set as L, the pupillary distance of the viewerIII is set as d, the binocular disparity amount is set as D, and thedistance to the target object I to be perceived by the viewer III is setas P, from the following relational expression, the pull-in amount (P−L)can be obtained.D/(P−L)=d/P,(P>L)  (2)

The above-mentioned correction computation unit 3 computes therelational expression (2) to continuously expand the dynamic range ofthe pull-in amount (P−L) in the three-dimensional image. Thus, thebinocular disparity amount D can be continuously expanded.

As such relational expressions (1) and (2) correlate between thebinocular disparity amount D and the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount,and the like are established, by correcting the binocular disparityamount D, it is possible to adjust the pop-up amount, the pull-inamount, and the like of the target object I. Also, when the relationalexpressions (1) and (2) are used, the correction computation unit 3 cancontinuously be expanded at least one of the dynamic ranges of thepop-up amount (L−P) and the pull-in amount (P−L) in thethree-dimensional image. Therefore, as the binocular disparity amount Dcan be continuously expanded, it is possible to allow the viewer tosufficiently and smoothly perceive at least one of the pop-up amount andthe pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image.

FIG. 4 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the % binocular disparity amount D and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object (part 1). The vertical axis shown inFIG. 4 is the distance L [m] to the target object I, which isrepresented in the logarithmic scale. The horizontal axis is thebinocular disparity amount D (hereinafter referred to as % binoculardisparity amount D) which is represented in the percentile [%], and the% binocular disparity amount D is the relative amount with respect tothe width W of the displayable area of the image display deviceregulated by way of percentile [%]. Hereinafter, a case will bedescribed in which while the size of the image is matched with the sizeof the displayable area of the image display device, the binoculardisparity image is displayed.

Lozenge marks on the solid line shown in FIG. 4 form a characteristiccurve showing a quantitative relational example between the binoculardisparity amount D in the screen of 700 inches and the pop-up amount andthe like of the target object. Rectangular marks on the solid line forma characteristic curve showing a quantitative relational example betweenthe binocular disparity amount D in the image display device of 100inches and the pop-up amount and the like of the target object I.Triangular marks on the solid line form a characteristic curve showing aquantitative relational example between the binocular disparity amount Din the image display device of 70 inches and the pop-up amount and thelike of the target object I.

Cross marks on the solid line form a characteristic curve showing aquantitative relational example between the binocular disparity amount Din the image display device of 40 inches and the pop-up amount and thelike of the target object I. It should be noted that in FIGS. 16 to 20,the graphic representations showing the quantitative relational examplesbetween the % binocular disparity amount D in the seven types of theimage display devices including 700 inches, 100 inches, 70 inches, and40 inches and the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the targetobject and the distances to the target object to be perceived aresummarized in the table.

In FIG. 4, for example, as to the image created while supposing thescreen of 700 inches, in order to allow the viewer III to perceive thedesired depth such as the pop-up and the pull-in of the target object I,the dynamic rage is set so that the % binocular disparity amount D isbetween D1 (0%) and D2 (5%). In that case, the viewer III viewing withthe display screen of 700 inches perceives that the target object Iexists between distances L1 a and L2 a.

Next, in a case where the same binocular disparity image is viewed withthe image display device having the displayable area of 40 inches, the %binocular disparity amount D assigned to the binocular disparity imageis relatively regulated by the width of the displayable area, andtherefore the % binocular disparity amount D is between D1 and D2. Inthat case, the viewer III viewing with the display screen of 40 inchesperceives that the target object I exists between distances L1 b and L2b. At this time, it is found out from the relation of FIG. 4(proportional reduction) that a relation of an expression (3) isestablished.|L2a−L1a|>|L2b−L1b|  (3)

In this manner, if the size of the binocular disparity image is adjustedonly to the screen size of the displayable area of the image displaydevice, the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount intended by the imagecreator are not reflected, and the image whose depth is compressed isdisplayed.

In view of the above, with the three-dimensional image correction methodaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, in order that thepop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by the imagecreator are reflected, the % binocular disparity amount D is correctedin accordance with the screen size of the displayable area of the imagedisplay device. For the correction method, two methods are exemplifiedincluding a method of accurately reproducing the binocular disparityamount D intended by the image creator and a method of expanding thedynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount.

FIG. 5 is a graph chart showing a quantitative relational examplebetween the % binocular disparity amount D and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object (part 2). In FIG. 5, the verticalaxis is the distance L [m] to the object, which is represented in thelogarithmic scale. The horizontal axis is the % binocular disparityamount D, which is represented in the percentile [%].

First, on the basis of the example shown in FIG. 4, in a case where thebinocular disparity amount D intended by the image creator is accuratelyreproduced, for example, as to the image created while supposing thescreen of 700 inches, when the % binocular disparity amount D is set asthe largest D1 (0%), the viewer III perceives that the target object Iexists between the distances L1 a and L2 a.

When the target object I exists between the distances L1 a and L2 a, inorder to allow the viewer III to perceive, a method is adopted in whicha correction target value shown in FIG. 5 is set, and the dynamic rangeis shifted to the correction target value. According to this method, thebinocular disparity amount D in accordance with the screen size of thedisplayable area of the image display device is provided to thebinocular disparity image. For example, in a case where the screen sizeof the displayable area of the image display device is 70 inches, sothat the binocular disparity amount D is between D1 a and D2 a, thecorrection computation unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 corrects the dynamicrange, and in a case where the screen size of the displayable area ofthe image display device is 40 inches, so that the binocular disparityamount D is between D1 b and D2 b, the correction computation unit 3corrects the dynamic range.

Next, on the basis of the example shown in FIG. 4, the method ofexpanding the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amountwill be described. FIG. 6 is a graph chart showing a quantitativerelational example between the % binocular disparity amount D and thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the target object (part 3). InFIG. 6, the vertical axis is the distance L [m] to the target object I,which is represented in the logarithmic scale. The horizontal axis isthe binocular disparity amount D, which is represented in the percentile[%].

For example, as to the image created while supposing the screen of 700inches, when the largest binocular disparity amount D of the image=D2−D1is set, the viewer III perceives that the target object I exists betweenthe distances L1 a and L2 a. At this time, in a case where a furtherpop-up feeling is desired to be provided to the viewer III, the dynamicrange is set so that the distance P to the target object I existsbetween the distance L1 a and L3 a (L3 a<L2 a).

The method of expanding the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount shown in FIG. 6 is adopted, in a case where the screensize of the displayable area of the image display device is 70 inches,the computation is carried out in such a manner that the correctioncomputation unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 corrects the dynamic range so thatthe binocular disparity amount D is between D1 a and D3 a. Also, in acase where the screen size of the displayable area of the image displaydevice is 40 inches, the correction computation unit 3 corrects thedynamic range so that the binocular disparity amount D is D1 b betweenD3 b.

The computation of correcting the dynamic range is executed while thecorrection computation unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 uses the relationalexpressions (1) and (2). The correction computation unit 3 calculatesthe binocular disparity amount D comparable to the pop-up amount, thepull-in amount, and the like intended by the image creator. With thiscalculation, even in the case of the screen size of the displayable areaof the image display device used by the viewer III, it is possible torealize the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount intended by the imagecreator.

It should be noted that when the disparity amount D of the binoculardisparity image on the display screen of the image display device iscorrected, for each screen size of the image display device, relationsbetween the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount and the binoculardisparity amount D are previously set in a table, and the binoculardisparity amount D is calculated on the basis of the value stored in thetable, so that the desired pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and thelike may be realized.

For example, a mapping table describing at least one of the dynamicranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount in thethree-dimensional image and previously approximately associatedcorrection values is prepared. As the reference is made to such amapping table, it is possible to discretely expand at least one of thedynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount in thethree-dimensional image for the correction. Therefore, it is possible toallow the viewer to sufficiently perceive at least one of the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image.

In addition, in a case where the screen size is equal to or larger than40 inches, an HD (High Definition) resolution of 1920 pixels wide and1080 lines long is provided in many cases, but in a case where thescreen size smaller than 40 inches, a resolution of only 1366 pixelswide and 768 lines long is provided in some cases. In general, thestandard visual distance is decided on the basis of the screen size andthe resolution. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the characteristic curvesdrawn by way of the screen sizes showing the quantitative relationalexamples between the % binocular disparity amount D in the image displaydevice of 11 inches and the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of thetarget object are varied.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operational example of thethree-dimensional image correction device 100. According to the presentembodiment, the displacement amount generated between the image for theleft eye and the image for the right eye which target the same object isset as the % binocular disparity amount D, the range for correcting the% binocular disparity amount D is set as the dynamic range, and theinformation related to the specification of the image display device isset as the display device data Dd. The display device data Dd includesinformation related to the information related to the screen size andthe resolution representing the displayable area of the image displaydevice.

The above-mentioned factors are set as the three-dimensional imagecorrection conditions, and in the three-dimensional image correctiondevice 100, in step ST1 in the flow chart of FIG. 7, the informationobtaining unit 1 obtains a specification of the image display device toinput the display device data Dd. For example, the information obtainingunit 1 obtains information related to the screen size of the displayablearea of the image display device used by the viewer III, the displayableresolution, and the like to be stored in the memory 60. With regard tothe information related to the screen size and the like, the EDIDregulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used.In the display device data Dd, information for identifying a displaymethod for the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, the organicEL display, and the like may be included.

Next, in step ST2, the three-dimensional image correction device 100inputs the image data Din for the three-dimensional image composed ofthe image for the left eye and the image for the right eye. The imagedata Din is input via the input terminal 6 to the disparity amountdetection unit 2. After that, in step ST3, the disparity amountdetection unit 2 detects the binocular disparity amount D from the imagedata Din. For the detection method for the binocular disparity amount D,a general method may be used, and the system thereof is not limited to aparticular system. The % binocular disparity amount D added at this timepoint is set by the image creator while supposing the image displaydevice having a particular screen size, and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the object are different from those intended by thecreator in the image display device having a different screen size.

In step ST4, it is determined whether all the detections for thebinocular disparity amount D are finished or not. In a case where thedetections for the binocular disparity amount D are not finished, andthe flow is returned to step ST2 to repeatedly perform theabove-mentioned processing. In a case where the detections for thebinocular disparity amount D are all finished, the flow is shifted tostep ST5.

In step ST5, the correction computation unit 3 adjusts the previouslydetected binocular disparity amount D on the basis of the display devicedata Dd to correct the dynamic range. For example, the correctioninformation for correcting at least one of the dynamic ranges of thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount is computed on the basis of thescreen size of the displayable area of the image display device obtainedin step ST1, the information related the displayable resolution and thelike, and the binocular disparity amount D detected in step ST3. Thedynamic range is corrected on the basis of the correction informationcomputed at this time.

In the computation for correcting the dynamic range, the standard visualdistance from the surface II of the image display device to eyes Iva andIVb of the viewer III is set as L, the pupillary distance of the viewerIII is set as d, the binocular disparity amount is set as D, and thedistance to the target object I to be perceived by the viewer III is setas P which can be obtained from the screen size of the displayable area,the information related to the displayable resolution, and the like, therelation of the expression (1) described according to FIG. 2 isestablished, and the relation of the expression (2) described accordingto FIG. 3 is established.

From these relational expressions, the correction computation unit 3obtains the pop-up amount (L−P) and the pull-in amount (P−L). When suchrelational expressions (1) and (2) are used, at least one of the dynamicranges of the pop-up amount (L−P) and the pull-in amount (P−L) in thethree-dimensional image can be continuously expanded and corrected. Itshould be noted that FIG. 4 shows a quantitative relational example in acase where L denotes the standard visual distance, the pupillarydistance d is set as 65 mm, the screen sizes of the displayable area ofthe image display device are set as 700 inches, 100 inches, 70 inches,and 40 inches.

In step ST6, the disparity amount correction unit 4 corrects thebinocular disparity amount D on the basis of the computation resultobtained in step ST5 and the display device data Dd so that the dynamicrange becomes corrected one. The disparity amount correction unit 4combines the corrected dynamic range with the binocular disparity amountD to correct the original binocular disparity amount D detected in stepST3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

In step ST7, image data Dout after the correction is output. In theimage display device used by the viewer III, the image data Dout afterthe correction is obtained by adjusting the binocular disparity amount Dso that the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount intended by the imagecreator are represented. After that, in step ST8, the disparity amountcorrection unit 4 determines whether or not the disparity amountcorrection is ended. This determination is executed by determiningwhether the correction of the binocular disparity amount D in step ST6is ended or not. In a case where the correction of the binoculardisparity amount D is not ended, the flow is returned to step ST6. In acase where the correction of the binocular disparity amount D is ended,the binocular disparity image is output.

In this manner, with the three-dimensional image correction device 100and the three-dimensional image correction method according to firstembodiment, the correction computation unit 3 is provided which isconfigured to adjust the binocular disparity amount D detected by thedisparity amount detection unit 2 on the basis of the display devicedata Dd to correct at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image. Thebinocular disparity amount D is corrected in the dynamic range after thecorrection while corresponding to the display device data Dd.

Therefore, the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of thetarget object I can be adjusted while corresponding to the displaydevice data Dd. Furthermore, even in a case where the specifications ofthe image display devices are varied, not only it is possible to realizethe pop-up image and the depth image with at least one of the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image preferredby the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately represent thepop-up image and the pull-in image intended by the image creator. As aresult, it is possible to allow the viewer to perceive thethree-dimensional image compliant with the intention of the creator.

According to the present embodiment, the case has been described inwhich step ST1 where the specification of the image display device isobtained is executed before step ST2 where the image data D in for thethree-dimensional image but is not limited to the above. As the displaydevice data Dd obtained step ST1 is used for the dynamic rangecorrection computation in step ST5, step ST1 may be executed in anystage up to step ST4 after step ST2 as long as step ST1 is executedbefore step ST5.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image display device 200 according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. The three-dimensional image displaydevice 200 shown in FIG. 8 is configured to display a video picture onthe basis of the image data Dout for the three-dimensional image and isconstructed by including an input terminal 16, a three-dimensional imagecorrection unit 101, an image display unit 80, and liquid crystalshutter glasses 90.

The image data Din for the three-dimensional image composed of the imagefor the left eye and the image for the right eye is input to the inputterminal 16. This image data Din is composed of a first two-dimensionalimage signal for displaying a two-dimensional video picture on the imagedisplay unit 80 and a second two-dimensional image signal forrepresenting the depth with respect to the two-dimensional videopicture. The three-dimensional image correction unit 101 is connected tothe input terminal 16. At least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image iscorrected, and the binocular disparity amount D is corrected in thedynamic range after the correction while corresponding to the displaydevice data Dd. For the three-dimensional image correction unit 101, thethree-dimensional image correction device 100 described according to thefirst embodiment is applied.

The three-dimensional image correction unit 101 is constructed byincluding the information obtaining unit 10, the disparity amountdetection unit 20, the correction computation unit 30, the disparityamount correction unit 40, an image signal input unit 50, a memory 60,and an image signal output unit 70. The image signal input unit 50 isconnected to the above-mentioned input terminal 16 to input the imagedata Din for the three-dimensional image composed of the image for theleft eye and the image for the right eye. The image data Din is suppliedin a form of an electric signal or a form of an optical communicationfrom an external three-dimensional image reproduction device, a digitalbroadcasting facility or the like to the image signal input unit 50 ofthe three-dimensional image display device 200.

The disparity amount detection unit 20 is connected to the image signalinput unit 50. By inputting the image data Din for the three-dimensionalimage composed of the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye, the binocular disparity amount D is detected from the image dataDin. The detection method for the binocular disparity amount is the sameas described according to the first embodiment. The detection method forthe binocular disparity amount D is not limited to a particular one. Forthe disparity amount detection unit 20, similarly as in the firstembodiment, the DSP is used.

The correction computation unit 30 is connected to the disparity amountdetection unit 20. The binocular disparity amount D detected by thedisparity amount detection unit 20 is adjusted on the basis of thedisplay device data Dd, and the correction information for correcting atleast one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-inamount is computed (see FIGS. 2 and 3). For the correction computationunit 30, similarly as in the first embodiment, the CPU is used. In thecorrection computation unit 30, on the basis of the information on theimage display unit 80 obtained by the information obtaining unit 10 andthe binocular disparity amount D detected by the disparity amountdetection unit 20, the computation is carried out for correcting atleast one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-inamount of the target object I.

The disparity amount correction unit 40 is connected to the correctioncomputation unit 30, and the binocular disparity amount D is correctedin the dynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit 30while corresponding to the display device data Dd. The disparity amountcorrection unit 40 corrects, for example, the dynamic range on the basisof the correction information computed by the correction computationunit 30 to correct the binocular disparity amount D by combining thedynamic range after the correction and the detected binocular disparityamount D. In this example too, when the binocular disparity amount D onthe display screen of the image display unit 80 is corrected, thedisparity amount correction unit 40 sets at least one of the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image in thedynamic range. The correction method for the binocular disparity amountD in the disparity amount correction unit 40 is the same as describedwith reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. For the disparity amount correction unit40 too, the DSP is used.

In this example too, the information obtaining unit 10 is connected tothe correction computation unit 30, and the display device data Dd formanually setting at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amountand the pull-in amount is input. In addition to the informationobtaining unit 10, the memory 60 is connected to the correctioncomputation unit 30, and the display device data Dd indicating thespecification of the image display unit 80 is stored. In the memory 60,information related to the specification of the image display unit 80used by the viewer III is stored. As long as this information includesinformation related to the screen size of the displayable area of theimage display unit 80 and the displayable resolution, the EDID regulatedby VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used. Also, thedisplay device data Dd may also include information for identifying thedisplay system of the image display unit 80 such as the liquid crystaldisplay, the plasma display, or the organic EL display.

For the memory 60, similarly as in the first embodiment, other than theread-only memory (ROM) or the random access memory (RAM) in whichinformation can be written or read as the occasion demands, the EEPROMor the non-volatile memory such as the hard disk is used. In the memory60, in addition to the display device data Dd, the computer-readablesystem program is described. The system program is the same as describedaccording to the first embodiment.

The image signal output unit 70 is connected to the above-mentioneddisparity amount correction unit 40, and the image data Dout for thethree-dimensional image after the disparity amount correction is outputto the image display unit 80. The image data Dout is data for displayingthe binocular disparity image whose binocular disparity amount D iscorrected, and the data is output from the image signal output unit 70to the image display unit 80. The image signal output unit 70 outputs,in addition to the image data Dout, the image display control signals Sfsuch as the horizontal synchronization signal and the verticalsynchronization signal to the image display unit 80.

The image display unit 80 constituting one example of the display unitis connected to the image signal output unit 70 and displays the videopicture for presenting the three-dimensional image on the basis of theimage data Dout for presenting the three-dimensional image whosebinocular disparity amount D is corrected and the image display controlsignal Sf. For example, on the basis of the image data Dout in the fieldsequential video picture format, the image display unit 80 alternatelydisplays the left and right disparity images at timings in a time seriesmanner such as the video picture for the left eye→the video picture forthe right eye→the video picture for the left eye→the video picture forthe right eye→ . . . on the display screen in a format which the viewerIII can perceive. The correction method for the binocular disparityamount is the same as described according to the first embodiment. Theliquid crystal display device, the plasma display device, the organic ELdisplay device, or the like is used for the image display unit 80.

In addition to the image display unit 80, the liquid crystal shutterglasses 90 is connected to the image signal output unit 70, and on thebasis of the vertical synchronization signal Sv in the image displaycontrol signal Sf, the shutter ON/OFF operations are repeatedly carriedout alternately in such a manner that the left eye ON/the right eyeOFF→the left eye OFF/the right eye ON→the left eye ON/the right eye OFF. . . . The shutter ON/OFF operations are executed in synchronism withthe display switch between the displacement amount generated between theimage for the left eye and the image for the right eye. With theseconfigurations, only the video picture for the left eye is input to theleft eye of the viewer, and only the video picture for the right eye isinput to the right eye, so that it is possible to view thethree-dimensional solid image.

Subsequently, a description will be given of the operational example ofthe three-dimensional image display device 200. FIG. 9 is a flow chartshowing an operational example of the three-dimensional image displaydevice 200. According to the present embodiment, when a displacementamount which is a difference between a convergence angle on a displaysurface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to beperceived based on image information for a three-dimensional image andwhich is, between a pixel displacement amount of a binocular disparityimage on the display surface and a standard visual distance from thedisplay surface to the eyes of the viewer, substantially approximated by(the pixel displacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is set asa disparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by the pop-upand the pull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as a dynamicrange, and information related to a specification of a display device isset as display device information, information related to thespecification of the image display unit 80 is set as display device dataDd. The display device data Dd includes information related to thescreen size indicating the displayable area of the image display unit 80and the resolution.

By setting these factors as the three-dimensional image displayconditions, in the three-dimensional image display device 200, in stepST11 in the flow chart of FIG. 9, the information obtaining unit 10obtains the specification of the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, andthe like of the target object through the image display unit 80 andinputs the display device data Dd. For example, the informationobtaining unit 10 obtains information related to the screen size of thedisplayable area of the image display unit 80 viewed by the viewer IIIand the displayable resolution to be stored in the memory 60. Withregard to the screen size, the information, and the like, the EDIDregulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used.The display device data Dd includes information for identifying adisplay method for the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, theorganic EL display, and the like.

Next, the three-dimensional image display device 200 inputs, in stepST12, for example, the image data Din for the three-dimensional image inthe field sequential video picture format composed of the image for theleft eye and the image for the right eye. The image data Din is inputvia the input terminal 16 and the image signal input unit 50 to thedisparity amount detection unit 20. After that, in step ST13, thedisparity amount detection unit 20 detects the binocular disparityamount D from the image data Din. The detection method for the binoculardisparity amount D is the same as described according to the firstembodiment. The binocular disparity amount D added at this time point isset by the creator while supposing the image display unit 80 of aparticular screen size, and in the image display unit 80 having adifferent screen size, the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of theobject are different from those intended by the creator.

In step ST14, the disparity amount detection unit 20 determines whetheror not all the detections for the binocular disparity amount D arefinished. In a case where all the detections for the binocular disparityamount D are not finished, and the flow is returned to step ST12 torepeatedly perform the above-mentioned processing. In a case where allthe detections for the binocular disparity amount D are finished, theflow is shifted to step ST15.

In step ST15, the correction computation unit 30 adjusts the previouslydetected binocular disparity amount D on the basis of the display devicedata Dd to correct the dynamic range. For example, on the basis of theinformation and the like related to the screen size of the displayablearea of the image display unit 80 obtained in step ST11 and thedisplayable resolution and the binocular disparity amount D detected instep ST13, the correction information for correcting at least one of thedynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount is computed.The dynamic range is corrected on the basis of the correctioninformation computed at this time.

In the computation for correcting the dynamic range, on the basis of thestandard visual distance to the eyes of the viewer from the surface ofthe image display unit 80, the pupillary distance of the viewer, thebinocular disparity amount D, the distance [m] to the target objectperceived by the viewer which are obtained from the information and thelike related to the screen size of the displayable area of the imagedisplay unit 80 and the displayable resolution, the expression (1)described in FIG. 2 and the expression (2) described in FIG. 3 areestablished. From these relational expressions, similarly as in thefirst embodiment, the correction computation unit 30 obtains the pop-upamount and the pull-in amount. When such relational expressions (1) and(2) are used, at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amountand the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image can becontinuously expanded and corrected.

After that, in step ST16, the disparity amount correction unit 40corrects the binocular disparity amount D on the basis of thecomputation result obtained in step ST15 and the display device data Dd,so that the dynamic range becomes corrected one. The disparity amountcorrection unit 4 combines the corrected dynamic range with thebinocular disparity amount D to correct the original binocular disparityamount D detected in step ST13 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

In step ST17, the image signal output unit 70 outputs the image dataDout after the correction to the image display unit 80 and also outputsthe vertical synchronization signal Sv to the liquid crystal shutterglasses 90. The image data Dout after the correction is obtained byadjusting the binocular disparity so that the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount intended by the image creator are represented in theimage display unit 80 used by the viewer III.

In step ST18, on the basis of the image data Dout for presenting thethree-dimensional image whose binocular disparity amount D is correctedand the image display control signal Sf, the image display unit 80displays the video picture for presenting the three-dimensional image.In parallel to this, in step ST19, on the basis of the verticalsynchronization signal Sv, the liquid crystal shutter glasses 90repeatedly carries out the shutter ON/OFF operations alternately in sucha manner that the left eye ON/the right eye OFF→the left eye OFF/theright eye ON→the left eye ON/the right eye OFF . . . . The shutterON/OFF operations are executed in synchronism with the display switchbetween the displacement amount generated between the image for the lefteye and the image for the right eye. With these configurations, only thevideo picture for the left eye is input to the left eye of the viewer,and only the video picture for the right eye is input to the right eye,so that it is possible to view the three-dimensional solid image.

After that, in step ST20, the three-dimensional image display device 200determines whether the three-dimensional image display processing is tobe finished or not. In this determination, for example, it is determinedwhether the three-dimensional image display processing is to be finishedor not by detecting power source OFF information. In a case where thepower source OFF information is not detected, and the flow is returnedto step ST12 to repeatedly perform the above-mentioned processing. In acase where the power source OFF information is detected, thethree-dimensional image display processing is finished.

In this manner, with the three-dimensional image display device 200according to the second embodiment, as the three-dimensional imagecorrection method according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied for the three-dimensional image correction unit 101, thepop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the target object canbe adjusted while corresponding to the display device data Dd.Therefore, even in a case where the specification of thethree-dimensional image display device 200 is different, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of theimage creator. The viewer can sufficiently perceive thethree-dimensional image compliant with the intention of the imagecreator.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image reproduction device 300 according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention. The three-dimensional imagereproduction device 300 is constructed by including an informationreproduction unit 51 and a three-dimensional image correction unit 102.

The information reproduction unit 51 constitutes an example of thereproduction unit and is configured to reproduce the image informationfor the three-dimensional image composed of the image for the left eyeand the image for the right eye. Information recording medium such asBlu-ray (R) or a DVD is mounted to the information reproduction unit 51.On the information recording medium, the image data Din for thethree-dimensional image is recorded. The image data Din is composed of afirst two-dimensional image signal for displaying a two-dimensionalvideo picture and a second two-dimensional image signal for representingthe depth of the two-dimensional video picture on the image displaydevice such as the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, or theorganic EL display.

Although not shown, the information reproduction unit 51 includes anoptical pickup, a spindle motor, a servo circuit, a spindle controlcircuit, a demodulation circuit, an error correction circuit, and thelike to constitute a data reading circuit. The data reading circuit isprovided with a stream separation unit and a decode unit, the videostream (hereinafter referred to as image data Din) and audio stream areseparated. In the case where the information recording medium is theDVD, MPEG2 PS (program stream) is decoded. In the case where theinformation recording medium is Blu-ray, MPEG2 Video, MPEG4 AVC, and thelike are decoded.

The three-dimensional image correction unit 102 is connected to theinformation reproduction unit 51. The binocular disparity amount D theimage data Din reproduced by the information reproduction unit 51 iscorrected, and the image data Dout for the three-dimensional image afterthe disparity amount correction is output. The image data Din iscomposed of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye.The three-dimensional image correction unit 102 corrects at least one ofthe dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount in thethree-dimensional image and also corrects the binocular disparity amountD on the basis of the display device data Dd so that the dynamic rangebecomes the corrected one. For the three-dimensional image correctionunit 102, the three-dimensional image correction device 100 describedaccording to the first embodiment is applied.

The three-dimensional image correction unit 102 is constructed byincluding the information obtaining unit 11, the disparity amountdetection unit 21, the correction computation unit 31, the disparityamount correction unit 41, the image signal input unit 50, the memory60, and an image signal output unit 71. The disparity amount detectionunit 21 is connected to the above-mentioned information reproductionunit 51. By inputting the image data Din for the three-dimensional imagecomposed of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye,the binocular disparity amount D is detected from the image data Din.The detection method for the binocular disparity amount D is the same asdescribed according to the first embodiment. The detection method forthe binocular disparity amount D is not limited to a particular one. Forthe disparity amount detection unit 21, similarly as in the firstembodiment, the DSP is used.

The correction computation unit 31 is connected to the disparity amountdetection unit 21. The binocular disparity amount D detected by thedisparity amount detection unit 21 is adjusted on the basis of thedisplay device data Dd, and at least one of the dynamic ranges of thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount is corrected (see FIGS. 2 and 3).For the correction computation unit 31, similarly as in the first andsecond embodiments, the CPU is used. In the correction computation unit31, on the basis of the information on the image display device which isobtained by the information obtaining unit 11 and the binoculardisparity amount D detected by the disparity amount detection unit 21,the computation is carried out for correcting at least one of thedynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the targetobject I.

The disparity amount correction unit 41 is connected to the correctioncomputation unit 31. The disparity amount correction unit 41 correctsthe binocular disparity amount D on the basis of the computation resultin the correction computation unit 31 and the display device data Dd sothat the dynamic range becomes corrected one. The disparity amountcorrection unit 41 corrects, for example, the dynamic range on the basisof the correction information computed by the correction computationunit 31 to correct the binocular disparity amount D by combining thedynamic range after the correction and the detected binocular disparityamount D. In this example too, in the disparity amount correction unit41, the binocular disparity amount D on the display screen of the imagedisplay device is corrected, and at least one of the pop-up amount andthe pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image is set in the dynamicrange. The correction method for the binocular disparity amount in thedisparity amount correction unit 41 is the same as described withreference to FIGS. 5 to 7. For the disparity amount correction unit 41too, the DSP is used.

In this example too, the information obtaining unit 11 is connected tothe correction computation unit 31, and the display device data Dd formanually setting at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amountand the pull-in amount is input. The memory 60 is also connected to thecorrection computation unit 31 in addition to the information obtainingunit 11. The memory 60 stores the display device data Dd indicating thespecification of the image display device. In the memory 60, theinformation related to the specification of the image display deviceused by the viewer III is stored. As long as this information includesinformation related to the screen size of the displayable area of theimage display device and the displayable resolution, the EDID regulatedby VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used. Also, thedisplay device data Dd may also include information for identifying adisplay method for the image display device such as the liquid crystaldisplay, the plasma display, or the organic EL display.

For the memory 60, similarly as in the first and second embodiments,other than the ROM or the RAM, the non-volatile memory such as theEEPROM or the hard disk is used. In the memory 60, in addition to thedisplay device data Dd, the computer-readable system program isdescribed. The system program is the same as described according to thefirst embodiment.

The image signal output unit 71 is connected to the above-mentioneddisparity amount correction unit 41, and the image data Dout for thethree-dimensional image after the disparity amount correction is outputto the image display device for the three-dimensional image display. Theimage data Dout is data for displaying the binocular disparity imagewhose binocular disparity amount D is corrected, and is output from theimage signal output unit 71 to the image display device for displayingthe three-dimensional image. The image signal output unit 71 outputs, inaddition to the image data Dout, the image display control signals Sfsuch as the horizontal synchronization signal and the verticalsynchronization signal to the image display device.

Subsequently, a description will be given of the operational example ofthe three-dimensional image reproduction device 300. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operational example of the three-dimensional imagereproduction device 300. According to the present embodiment, thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 300 is used by beingconnected to the image display device for displaying thethree-dimensional image. The information reproduction unit 51 has theinformation recording medium such as the DVD mounted thereto. On theinformation recording medium, for example, the image data Din for thethree-dimensional image in the field sequential video picture formatcomposed of the image for the left eye and the image for the right eyeis recorded. The image data Din is composed of a first two-dimensionalimage signal for displaying a two-dimensional video picture and a secondtwo-dimensional image signal for representing the depth of thetwo-dimensional video picture on the image display device such as theliquid crystal display, the plasma display, or the organic EL display.

By setting this as the three-dimensional image reproduction condition,in the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300, in step ST21 inthe flow chart of FIG. 11, the information obtaining unit 11 obtains thespecification of the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like ofthe target object in the image display device and inputs the displaydevice data Dd. For example, the information obtaining unit 11 storesthe information related to the screen size of the displayable area ofthe image display device which the viewer attempts to view and thedisplayable resolution and stores the information in the memory 60. Withregard to the screen size, the information, and the like, the EDIDregulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used.The display device data Dd may include information for identifying thedisplay method for the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, theorganic EL display, and the like.

Next, in the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300, in stepST22, the information reproduction unit 51 reproduces the image data Dinfor the three-dimensional image in the field sequential video pictureformat composed of the image for the left eye and the image for theright eye from an information recording medium 61. The image data Dinafter the reproduction is output to the disparity amount detection unit21. After that, in step ST23, the disparity amount detection unit 21detects the binocular disparity amount D from the image data Din. Thedetection method for the binocular disparity amount D is the same asdescribed according to the first embodiment. The binocular disparityamount D added at this time point is set by the image creator whilesupposing the image display device having a particular screen size, andthe pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the object are differentfrom those intended by the creator in the image display device having adifferent screen size.

In step ST24, the disparity amount detection unit 21 determines whetheror not all the detections for the binocular disparity amount D arefinished. In a case where all the detections for the binocular disparityamount D are not finished, and the flow is returned to step ST22 torepeatedly perform the above-mentioned processing. In a case where allthe detections for the binocular disparity amount D are finished, theflow is shifted to step ST25.

In step ST25, the correction computation unit 31 adjusts the previouslydetected binocular disparity amount D on the basis of the display devicedata Dd to correct the dynamic range. For example, on the basis of theinformation related to the screen size of the displayable area of theimage display device obtained in step ST21 and the displayableresolution and the binocular disparity amount D detected in step ST23,the correction information for correcting at least one of the dynamicranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount is computed.

In the computation for correcting the dynamic range, from the standardvisual distance to the eyes of the viewer from the surface of the imagedisplay device, the pupillary distance of the viewer, the binoculardisparity amount D, and the distance to the target object perceived bythe viewer which can be obtained from the screen size of the displayablearea, the information related to the displayable resolution, and thelike, the expression (1) described in FIG. 2 and the expression (2)described in FIG. 3 are established. From these relational expressions,similarly as in the first embodiment, the correction computation unit 31obtains the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount. When the correctioninformation is obtained by using such relational expressions (1) and(2), at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount in the three-dimensional image can be continuouslyexpanded and corrected. The dynamic range is corrected on the basis ofthe correction information computed at this time.

After that, in step ST26, on the basis of the computation resultobtained in step ST25 and the display device data Dd, the disparityamount correction unit 41 corrects the binocular disparity amount D sothat the dynamic range becomes the corrected one. The disparity amountcorrection unit 4 combines the corrected dynamic range with thebinocular disparity amount D to correct the original binocular disparityamount D detected in step ST23 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

In step ST27, the image signal output unit 71 outputs the image dataDout after the correction to the image display device and also outputsthe image display control signal Sf to an image forming device. In theimage display device used by the viewer III, the image data Dout afterthe correction is obtained by adjusting the binocular disparity amount Dso that the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount intended by the imagecreator are represented. As a result, in the image display device, it ispossible to view the three-dimensional image solid video picture.

After that, in step ST28, the three-dimensional image reproductiondevice 300 determines whether or not the three-dimensional imagereproduction processing is to be finished. In this determination, forexample, it is determined whether the three-dimensional imagereproduction processing is to be finished or not by detecting the powersource OFF information. In a case where the power source OFF informationis not detected, and the flow is returned to step ST22 to repeatedlyperform the above-mentioned processing. In a case where the power sourceOFF information is detected, the three-dimensional image reproductionprocessing is ended.

In this manner, with the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300according to the third embodiment, as the three-dimensional imagecorrection device 100 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is applied to the three-dimensional image correction unit 102,the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the target objectcan be adjusted while corresponding to the display device data Dd.Therefore, even in a case where the specifications of thethree-dimensional image display devices are varied, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of thecreator.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image provision system 400 according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention. According to the presentembodiment, the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300 having athree-dimensional image correction function and a three-dimensionalimage display device 401 which is not provided with thethree-dimensional image correction function are combined to constructthe three-dimensional image provision system 400.

The first three-dimensional image provision system 400 shown in FIG. 12is constructed by including the three-dimensional image reproductiondevice 300 which reproduces the image data Din for the three-dimensionalimage composed of the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye from the predetermined information recording medium 61, thethree-dimensional image display device 401 which inputs the image dataDin for the three-dimensional image reproduced by the three-dimensionalimage reproduction device 300 to display the video picture, and theliquid crystal shutter glasses 90. The image data Din for thethree-dimensional image is composed of the first two-dimensional imagesignal for displaying the two-dimensional video picture on thethree-dimensional image display device 401 and the secondtwo-dimensional image signal for representing the depth of thetwo-dimensional video picture.

As described according to the third embodiment, the three-dimensionalimage reproduction device 300 has the three-dimensional image correctionunit 102, and the image information for the three-dimensional imageafter the disparity amount correction is output to the three-dimensionalimage display device 401. When a displacement amount which is adifference between a convergence angle on a display surface and aconvergence angle on a three-dimensional surface to be perceived basedon image information for a three-dimensional image and which is, betweena pixel displacement amount of a binocular disparity image on thedisplay surface and a standard visual distance from the display surfaceto the eyes of the viewer, substantially approximated by (the pixeldisplacement amount)/(the standard visual distance) is set as adisparity amount, a width of a depth amount represented by the pop-upand the pull-in of the three-dimensional image is set as the dynamicrange, the information related to the specification of thethree-dimensional image display device 401 is set as the display devicedata Dd, the three-dimensional image correction unit 102 includes thedisparity amount detection unit 21, the correction computation unit 31,and the disparity amount correction unit 41.

The disparity amount detection unit 21 inputs the image data Din for thethree-dimensional image composed of the image for the left eye and theimage for the right eye to detect the binocular disparity amount D fromthe image data Din. The correction computation unit 31 adjusts thedisparity amount detected by the disparity amount detection unit 21 onthe basis of the display device data Dd to correct the dynamic range.The disparity amount correction unit 41 corrects the binocular disparityamount D in the dynamic range corrected by the correction computationunit 31 while corresponding to the display device data Dd.

The image signal output unit 71 is connected to the disparity amountcorrection unit 41, and the image data Dout for the three-dimensionalimage after the disparity amount correction is output to thethree-dimensional image display device 401. The image data Dout is datafor displaying the binocular disparity image whose binocular disparityamount D is corrected and output from the image signal output unit 71 tothe three-dimensional image display device 401. The image signal outputunit 71 outputs, in addition to the image data Dout, the image displaycontrol signals Sf such as the horizontal synchronization signal and thevertical synchronization signal to the three-dimensional image displaydevice 401.

The three-dimensional image display device 401 is constructed byincluding the information obtaining unit 12, an image signal input unit70′, an image processing unit 72, and the image display unit 80. In thisexample, the image signal output unit 71 of the three-dimensional imagereproduction device 300 and the image signal input unit 70′ of thethree-dimensional image display device 401 are connected with eachother, the information obtaining unit 11 and the information obtainingunit 12 are connected by an HDMI cable in conformity to the HDMIstandard.

In the HDMI standard, in addition to a TMDS signal for transmitting avideo picture signal, a signal called DDC (Display Data Channel) isassigned. With the DDC, a communication is carried out between a sourcedevice configured to send the video picture signal and a sink deviceconfigured to receive the video picture signal. The source device canread out register information called EDID of the sink device via theDDC. In other words, the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300and the three-dimensional image display device 401 are connected by theHDMI cable not shown in the drawing, it is possible to read out theinformation on the three-dimensional image display device 401 side fromthe three-dimensional image reproduction device 300 side.

The image processing unit 72 is connected to the image signal input unit70′, and on the basis of the image data Dout and the image displaycontrol signal Sf, the video picture signal in a format requested by theimage display unit 80 is created. In this example, the informationobtaining unit 12 is connected to the image processing unit 72, and thedisplay device data Dd for manually setting at least one of the dynamicranges of the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount is input. As beingdifferent from the second embodiment, in the three-dimensional imagedisplay device 401, the image processing unit 72 does not have thethree-dimensional image correction function. Thus, the display devicedata Dd is transferred to the information obtaining unit 11 of thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 300 via the HDMI cable.

The memory 60 of the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300stores the display device data Dd indicating the specification of thethree-dimensional image display device 401 received from thethree-dimensional image display device 401. The display device data Ddincludes information related to the screen size of the displayable areaof the three-dimensional image display device 401 and the displayableresolution. With regard to the display device data Dd, the EDIDregulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used.Also, the display device data Dd may include information for identifyinga display method for the three-dimensional image display device 401 suchas the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, or the organic ELdisplay.

The image display unit 80 is connected to the above-mentioned imageprocessing unit 72, and on the basis of the image data Dout forpresenting the three-dimensional image whose binocular disparity amountD is corrected and the image display control signal Sf, the videopicture for presenting the three-dimensional image. For example, theimage display unit 80 alternately displays the left and right disparityimages at timings in a time series manner such as the video picture forthe left eye→the video picture for the right eye→the video picture forthe left eye→the video picture for the right eye→ . . . on the displayscreen in a format which the viewer III can perceive on the basis of theimage data Dout in the predetermined video picture format. Thecorrection method for the binocular disparity amount is the same asdescribed according to the first embodiment. The liquid crystal displaydevice, the plasma display device, the organic EL display device, or thelike is used for the image display unit 80. It should be noted thatcomponents having the same names and reference symbols as thoseaccording to the third embodiment have the same functions, and adescription thereof will be omitted.

Subsequently, a description will be given of an operation example of thethree-dimensional image provision system 400. FIG. 13 is a flow chartshowing an operational example of the three-dimensional image displaydevice 401. It should be noted that the operational example of thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 300 has been alreadydescribed with reference to FIG. 11, and a description thereof will beomitted.

In the three-dimensional image display device 401, in step ST31 in theflow chart of FIG. 13, the information obtaining unit 12 obtains thespecification of the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like ofthe target object and inputs the display device data Dd whose executionis requested by the image display unit 80. For example, the informationobtaining unit 12 obtains the information related to the screen size ofthe displayable area of the image display unit 80 viewed by the viewerIII and the displayable resolution to be transferred to thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 300 and stored in the memory60. With regard to the screen size, the information, and the like, theEDID regulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also beused. The display device data Dd may include information for identifyingthe display method for the liquid crystal display, the plasma display,the organic EL display, and the like.

Next, in step ST32, the three-dimensional image display device 401inputs the image data Din for the three-dimensional image in the fieldsequential video picture format composed of the image for the left eyeand the image for the right eye from the three-dimensional imagereproduction device 300, for example. The image data Din is input viathe image signal input unit 50 to the image processing unit 72.

In step ST33, the image processing unit 72 outputs the image data Doutcorrected by the three-dimensional image display device 401 to the imagedisplay unit 80 and also outputs the vertical synchronization signal Svto the liquid crystal shutter glasses 90. The image data Dout after thecorrection is obtained by adjusting the binocular disparity so that thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount intended by the image creator arerepresented in the image display unit 80 used by the viewer III.

After that, in step ST34, on the basis of the image data Dout forpresenting the three-dimensional image whose binocular disparity amountD is corrected and the image display control signal Sf, the imagedisplay unit 80 displays the video picture for presenting thethree-dimensional image. In parallel to this, in step ST34, the liquidcrystal shutter glasses 90 on the basis of the vertical synchronizationsignal Sv, the liquid crystal shutter glasses 90 repeatedly carries outthe shutter ON/OFF operations alternately in such a manner that the lefteye ON/the right eye OFF→the left eye OFF/the right eye ON→the left eyeON/the right eye OFF . . . . The shutter ON/OFF operations are executedin synchronism with the display switch between the displacement amountgenerated between the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye. With these configurations, only the video picture for the left eyeis input to the left eye of the viewer, and only the video picture forthe right eye is input to the right eye, so that it is possible to viewthe three-dimensional solid image.

After that, in step ST35, the three-dimensional image display device 401determines whether the three-dimensional image display processing is tobe finished or not. In this determination, for example, it is determinedwhether the three-dimensional image display processing is to be finishedor not by detecting the power source OFF information. In a case wherethe power source OFF information is not detected, and the flow isreturned to step ST32 to repeatedly perform the above-mentionedprocessing. In a case where the power source OFF information isdetected, the three-dimensional image display processing is finished.

In this manner, with the three-dimensional image provision system 400according to the fourth embodiment, the three-dimensional imagereproduction device 300 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is applied. Thus, on the three-dimensional image reproductiondevice 300 side, the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like ofthe target object can be adjusted while corresponding to the displaydevice data Dd. Therefore, even in a case where the specification isdifferent like the three-dimensional image display device 401 or thelike, not only it is possible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-inamount, and the like preferred by the viewer, but also it is possible toaccurately express the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likeintended by the image creator. As a result, it is possible to allow theviewer to perceive the three-dimensional image compliant with theintention of the creator.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of athree-dimensional image provision system 500 according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention. According to the presentembodiment, the three-dimensional image display device 200 having thethree-dimensional image correction function and a three-dimensionalimage reproduction device 501 which is not provided with thethree-dimensional image correction function are combined with each otherto constitute the three-dimensional image provision system 500.

The second three-dimensional image provision system 500 shown in FIG. 14is constructed by including the liquid crystal shutter glasses 90, thethree-dimensional image display device 200, and the three-dimensionalimage reproduction device 501. The three-dimensional image displaydevice 200 inputs the image data Din for the three-dimensional imagereproduced by the three-dimensional image reproduction device 501 todisplay a video picture.

The three-dimensional image reproduction device 501 is constructed byincluding the information obtaining unit 11′, the informationreproduction unit 51, and the image signal output unit 71′. Thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 501 is operated so as toreproduce the image data Din for the three-dimensional image composed ofthe image for the left eye and the image for the right eye from theparticular information recording medium 61. The three-dimensional imagereproduction device 501 does not have the three-dimensional imagecorrection unit 102 as described according to the third embodiment.

The information recording medium 61 such as Blu-ray (R) or the DVD isthe information reproduction unit 51. On the information recordingmedium 61, the image data Din for the three-dimensional image isrecorded. The image data Din is composed of the first two-dimensionalimage signal for displaying the two-dimensional video picture and thesecond two-dimensional image signal for representing the depth of thetwo-dimensional video picture on the three-dimensional image displaydevice 200 or the like such as the liquid crystal display, the plasmadisplay, or the organic EL display. Although not shown, the informationreproduction unit 51 includes the optical pickup, the spindle motor, theservo circuit, the spindle control circuit, the demodulation circuit,the error correction circuit, and the like to constitute the datareading circuit. The data reading circuit is provided with a streamseparation unit and a decode unit, and the video stream and the audiostream are separated. The image signal output unit 71′ is connected tothe information reproduction unit 51 and outputs the image data Din forthe three-dimensional image whose binocular disparity amount D is notcorrected to the three-dimensional image display device 200.

In this example too, the image signal output unit 71′ of thethree-dimensional image reproduction device 501 and the image signalinput unit 50 of the three-dimensional image display device 200 areconnected with each other, and also the information obtaining unit 11′and the information obtaining unit 10 are connected by the HDMI cable inconformity to the HDMI standard.

The three-dimensional image display device 200 is constructed byincluding the image display unit 80, the liquid crystal shutter glasses90, and the three-dimensional image correction unit 101. Thethree-dimensional image correction unit 101 includes the informationobtaining unit 10, the disparity amount detection unit 20, thecorrection computation unit 30, the disparity amount correction unit 40,the image signal input unit 50, and the memory 60.

The disparity amount detection unit 20 is connected to theabove-mentioned image signal input unit 50. The disparity amountdetection unit 20 inputs the image data Din for the three-dimensionalimage composed of the image for the left eye and the image for the righteye to detect the binocular disparity amount D from the image data Din.the correction computation unit 30 adjusts the disparity amount detectedby the disparity amount detection unit 20 on the basis of the displaydevice data Dd to correct the dynamic range. The disparity amountcorrection unit 40 corrects the binocular disparity amount D in thedynamic range corrected by the correction computation unit 30 whilecorresponding to the display device data Dd.

The image signal output unit 70 is connected to the disparity amountcorrection unit 40, and the image data Dout for the three-dimensionalimage after the disparity amount correction is output to the imagedisplay unit 80. The image data Dout is data for displaying thebinocular disparity image whose binocular disparity amount D iscorrected, and is output from the image signal output unit 70 to theimage display unit 80. The image signal output unit 70 outputs, inaddition to the image data Dout, the image display control signals Sfsuch as the horizontal synchronization signal and the verticalsynchronization signal to the image display unit 80.

In this example, the information obtaining unit 10 is connected to thecorrection computation unit 30, and the display device data Dd formanually setting at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amountand the pull-in amount is input. The three-dimensional image displaydevice 200 transfers the display device data Dd such as the reproductionstart or the reproduction stop via the HDMI to the information obtainingunit 11′ of the three-dimensional image reproduction device 501.

The memory 60 of the three-dimensional image display device 200 storesthe display device data Dd indicating the specification of thethree-dimensional image display device 200 which is transferred from theinformation obtaining unit 10. The display device data Dd includesinformation related to the screen size of the displayable area of theimage display unit 80 and the displayable resolution. With regard to thedisplay device data Dd, the EDID regulated by VESA may be used, or anoriginal format may also be used. Also, the display device data Dd mayinclude information for identifying a display method for the imagedisplay unit 80 such as the liquid crystal display, the plasma display,or the organic EL display.

The image display unit 80 is connected to the above-mentioned imagesignal output unit 70, and on the basis of the image data Dout forpresenting the three-dimensional image whose binocular disparity amountD is corrected and the image display control signal Sf, the videopicture for presenting the three-dimensional image is displayed. Forexample, alternately displays the left and right disparity images attimings in a time series manner such as the video picture for the lefteye→the video picture for the right eye→the video picture for the lefteye→the video picture for the right eye→ . . . on the display screen ina format which the viewer III can perceive on the basis of the imagedata Dout in the predetermined video picture format. The correctionmethod for the binocular disparity amount is the same as describedaccording to the first embodiment. The liquid crystal display device,the plasma display device, the organic EL display device, or the like isused for the image display unit 80. It should be noted that componentshaving the same names and reference symbols as those according to thesecond embodiment have the same functions, and a description thereofwill be omitted.

Subsequently, a description will be given of an operation example of thethree-dimensional image provision system 500. FIG. 15 is a flow chartshowing an operational example of the three-dimensional imagereproduction device 501. It should be noted that the operational exampleof the three-dimensional image display device 200 has been alreadydescribed with reference to FIG. 9, and a description thereof will beomitted.

In the three-dimensional image reproduction device 501, in step ST41 inthe flow chart shown in FIG. 15, the information obtaining unit 11obtains the specification of the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, andthe like of the target object in the image display device and inputs thedisplay device data Dd. For example, the information obtaining unit 11stores the information related to the screen size of the displayablearea of the image display device which the viewer attempts to view andthe displayable resolution and stores the information in the memory 60.With regard to the screen size, the information, and the like, the EDIDregulated by VESA may be used, or an original format may also be used.The display device data Dd may include information for identifying thedisplay method for the liquid crystal display, the plasma display, theorganic EL display, and the like.

Next, in the three-dimensional image reproduction device 300, in stepST42, the information reproduction unit 51 reproduces the image data Dinfor the three-dimensional image in the field sequential video pictureformat composed of the image for the left eye and the image for theright eye from the information recording medium 61. The image data Dinafter the reproduction is output in step ST43 from the image signaloutput unit 71′ to the three-dimensional image display device 200.

After that, in step ST44, the three-dimensional image reproductiondevice 501 determines whether or not the three-dimensional imagereproduction processing is to be finished. In this determination, forexample, it is determined whether the three-dimensional imagereproduction processing is to be finished or not by detectingreproduction OFF information. The reproduction OFF information istransferred as the display device data Dd from the three-dimensionalimage display device 200. In a case where the reproduction OFFinformation is not detected, and the flow is returned to step ST42 torepeatedly perform the above-mentioned processing. In a case where thereproduction OFF information is detected, the three-dimensional imagereproduction processing is finished.

In this manner, with the three-dimensional image provision system 500according to the fifth embodiment, as the three-dimensional imagedisplay device 200 according to the embodiment of the present inventionis applied, on the three-dimensional image display device 200 side, thepop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like of the target object canbe adjusted while corresponding to the display device data Dd.Therefore, even in a case where the specification is different like thethree-dimensional image display device 401 or the like, not only it ispossible to realize the pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the likepreferred by the viewer, but also it is possible to accurately expressthe pop-up amount, the pull-in amount, and the like intended by theimage creator. As a result, it is possible to allow the viewer toperceive the three-dimensional image compliant with the intention of theimage creator. In this manner, in a case where the three-dimensionalimage provision systems 400 and 500 and the like are constructed, if thethree-dimensional image correction function is provided to any one ofthe three-dimensional image display device 200 and the three-dimensionalimage reproduction device 300, remarkable effects according to theembodiment of the present invention can be obtained.

Next, a creation method for the characteristic curves (graphs) showingthe quantitative relational examples between the % binocular disparityamount D in the image display device of 11 inches and the pop-up amountand the pull-in amount of the target object described according to thefirst embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a graph chart showing aquantitative relational example between the % binocular disparity amountD for the image display device having seven types of screen sizes andthe pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the target object. Thevertical axis shown in FIG. 16 is a distance L [m] to the target objectI perceived by the viewer which is represented in the logarithmic scale.The horizontal axis is the % binocular disparity amount D in which therelative amount with respect to the width W of the displayable area ofthe image display device is regulated by way of percentile [%].

Lozenge marks on the solid line shown in FIG. 16 form a characteristiccurve showing a quantitative relational example between the binoculardisparity amount D in the image display device of 700 inches and thepop-up amount and the like of the target object I. Rectangular marks onthe solid line form a characteristic curve showing a quantitativerelational example between the binocular disparity amount D in the imagedisplay device of 100 inches and the pop-up amount and the like of thetarget object I. Triangular marks on the solid line form acharacteristic curve showing a quantitative relational example betweenthe binocular disparity amount D in the image display device of 70inches and the pop-up amount and the like of the target object I.

Cross marks on the solid line form a characteristic curve showing aquantitative relational example between the binocular disparity amount Din the image display device of 40 inches and the pop-up amount and thelike of the target object I. Cross marks on the broken line form acharacteristic curve showing a quantitative relational example betweenthe % binocular disparity amount D in the image display device of 32inches and the pop-up amount and the like of the target object I. Circlemarks on the solid line form a characteristic curve showing aquantitative relational example between the % binocular disparity amountD in the image display device of 20 inches and the pop-up amount and thelike of the target object I. Cross marks on the dashed-dotted line forma characteristic curve showing a quantitative relational example betweenthe % binocular disparity amount D in the image display device of 11inches and the pop-up amount and the like of the target object I.

FIGS. 17 to 20 are tables in which numerical examples (parts 1 to 4) inwhich relations between the seven different screen sizes of the imagedisplay device shown in FIG. 16 and the distance P to the target objectperceived by the viewer III are summarized. According to the table shownin FIG. 17, the seven types of the screen sizes of the image displaydevice (Size [inch]) are exemplified in the calculation items, and inthe respective screen sizes of the image display device, when the widthis set as W [m] and the height is set as H [m], in the case of 700inches, the width is W=15.5 [m], and the height is H=8.72 [m].

In the case of 100 inches, the width is W=2.21 [m], and the height isH=1.25 [m]. In the case of 70 inches, the width is W=1.55 [m], and theheight is H=0.87 [m]. In the case of 40 inches, the width is W=0.89 [m],and the height is H=0.50 [m].

In the case of 32 inches, the width is W=0.71 [m], and the height isH=0.40 [m]. In the case of 20 inches, the width is W=0.44 [m], and theheight is H=0.25 [m]. In the case of 11 inches, the width is W=0.24 [m],and the height is H=0.14 [m].

As to the above-mentioned image display devices of the total seventypes, in the relation between the binocular disparity amount D shown inFIG. 2 and the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of the target objectI described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, while the standard visualdistance from the surface II of the image display device to the eyes IVaand IVb of the viewer III is set as L, the distance between the eyes theviewer III (pupillary distance) is set as d, the disparity amount of thebinocular disparity image is set as D, and the distance to the targetobject I to be perceived by the viewer III is set as P, the distance Pis calculated on the basis of the relational expressions (1) and (2).The pupillary distance d is 65 mm, and the standard visual distance Lestablishes L=3H in the case of HD (high definition). In the case of SD(standard definition), L=1 [m] is established.

As to the distance P, in the case of ±30% regarding the % binoculardisparity amount D, 121 types are calculated for each of the imagedisplay devices with the increment of 0.5% including 0.0%. It should benoted that in the tables in the drawing, minus values on the upper sideand the left side of the border drawn by the broken line are ignored asnot attributing to the quantitative relational examples shown in FIG. 16between the % binocular disparity amount D for the seven types of thescreen sizes of the image display device and the pop-up amount and thepull-in amount of the target object.

This is illustrated while the vertical axis in the logarithmic scalerepresents the distance P, the horizontal axis of ±% represents the %binocular disparity amount D, and these intersecting points are plottedto be connected by a curved line for the respective image displaydevices. Thus, it is possible to obtain the graphs (characteristiccurves) showing the quantitative relational examples of the % binoculardisparity amount D—the pop-up amount and the pull-in amount of thetarget object shown in FIG. 16 for the image display devices of theseven types of the screen sizes.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional image correction methodcomprising, the steps of: inputting into a data processor imageinformation relating to a three-dimensional image to detect adisplacement amount generated between an image for a left eye and animage for a right eye; adjusting the detected displacement amount on thebasis of display device information to correct a dynamic range using thedata processor, the display information informing as to at least onephysical characteristic of the display device; correcting thedisplacement amount in corrected the dynamic range while correspondingto the display device information using the data processor; and when (a)a distance from the display surface of the display device to the eyes ofthe viewer is set as L, (b) a pupillary distance of the viewer is set asd, (c) the pixel displacement of the binocular disparity image on thedisplay surface is set as D, and (d) the distance to the objectperceived by the viewer is set as P, obtaining the pop-up amount (L−P)and the pull-in amount (P−L) from relational expressions:D/(L−P)=d/P,(P<L)  (1), andD/(P−L)=d/P,(P>L)  (2).
 2. The three-dimensional image correction methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: adjusting thedetected disparity amount on the basis of the display device informationto compute correction information for correcting at least one of dynamicranges of a pop-up amount and a pull-in amount; and correcting thedynamic range on the basis of the computed correction information andcombining the dynamic range after the correction with the detecteddisparity amount to correct the disparity amount of the binoculardisparity image.
 3. The three-dimensional image correction methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the display device information includesinformation informing as to a displayable area of the display device. 4.The three-dimensional image correction method according to claim 1,further comprising, when the disparity amount of the binocular disparityimage on the display screen of the display device is corrected,correcting at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount andthe pull-in amount of the three-dimensional image.
 5. Thethree-dimensional image correction method according to claim 1, furthercomprising, when the disparity amount of the binocular disparity imageon the display screen of the display device is corrected, referring to amapping table describing at least one of the dynamic ranges of thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image andpreviously approximately associated values.
 6. The three-dimensionalimage correction method according to claim 1, wherein the imageinformation for the three-dimensional image is composed of a firsttwo-dimensional image signal for displaying a two-dimensional videopicture on the display device and a second two-dimensional image signalfor representing a depth with respect to the two-dimensional videopicture.
 7. A three-dimensional image correction method comprising, whena displacement amount which is a difference between a convergence angleon a display surface and a convergence angle on a three-dimensionalsurface to be perceived based on image information for athree-dimensional image and which is, between a pixel displacementamount of a binocular disparity image on the display surface and astandard visual distance from the display surface to eyes of a viewer,substantially approximated by (the pixel displacement amount)/(thestandard visual distance) is set as a disparity amount, a width of adepth amount represented by pop-up and pull-in of the three-dimensionalimage is set as a dynamic range, and information related to aspecification of a display device is set as display device information,the steps of: inputting into a data processor image information relatingto a three-dimensional image to detect a displacement amount generatedbetween an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye; adjustingthe detected displacement amount on the basis of the display deviceinformation to correct a dynamic range using the data processor, thedisplay information informing as to at least one physical characteristicof the display device; correcting the displacement amount in correctedthe dynamic range while corresponding to the display device informationusing the data processor; and when (a) a distance from the displaysurface of the display device to the eyes of the viewer is set as L, (b)a pupillary distance of the viewer is set as d, (c) the pixeldisplacement of the binocular disparity image on the display surface isset as D, and (d) the distance to the object perceived by the viewer isset as P, obtaining the pop-up amount (L−P) and the pull-in amount (P−L)from relational expressions:D/(L−P)=d/P,(P<L)  (1), andD/(P−L)=d/P,(P>L)  (2).
 8. The three-dimensional image correction methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: adjusting thedetected disparity amount on the basis of the display device informationto compute correction information for correcting at least one of dynamicranges of a pop-up amount and a pull-in amount; and correcting thedynamic range on the basis of the computed correction information andcombining the dynamic range after the correction with the detecteddisparity amount to correct the disparity amount of the binoculardisparity image.
 9. The three-dimensional image correction methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the display device information includesinformation informing as to a displayable area of the display device.10. The three-dimensional image correction method according to claim 7,further comprising, when the disparity amount of the binocular disparityimage on the display screen of the display device is corrected,correcting at least one of the dynamic ranges of the pop-up amount andthe pull-in amount of the three-dimensional image.
 11. Thethree-dimensional image correction method according to claim 7, furthercomprising, when the disparity amount of the binocular disparity imageon the display screen of the display device is corrected, referring to amapping table describing at least one of the dynamic ranges of thepop-up amount and the pull-in amount in the three-dimensional image andpreviously approximately associated values.
 12. The three-dimensionalimage correction method according to claim 7, wherein the imageinformation for the three-dimensional image is composed of a firsttwo-dimensional image signal for displaying a two-dimensional videopicture on the display device and a second two-dimensional image signalfor representing a depth with respect to the two-dimensional videopicture.